Ep. 309. 1 Corinthians 8-9 | Lay Aside Your Rights

EPISODE 309

LAY ASIDE YOUR RIGHTS: 1 CORINTHIANS 8-9

It is necessary to discuss the next four chapters of 1 Corinthians as a single point so that we can better understand Paul's intent.

Corinth, like much of the rest of the world, was full of idolatry. Some in the church who had come to salvation in Christ were still eating meat sacrificed to idols with the understanding that an idol had no real authority or power. However, the new and/or immature believers had not yet come to that position in their faith journey and, having witnessed some believers eating meat sacrificed to idols, had come to believe that they were worshipping Jesus and the idols of Corinth.

The "strong" believers were less concerned with the building up of their newer brothers and sisters in Christ and more concerned with eating whatever they wanted to from the position of freedom in Jesus.

Paul warns, "Take care that this right of yours does not somehow become a stumbling block to the weak." Paul then immediately gives a couple of examples of "rights" he has laid down for the gospel's sake. Paul put aside the right to take along a believing wife, and he laid aside the right to demand payment from the Corinthians for his ministry there. The point of putting these rights aside was not because Paul believed them to be unimportant but because he believed the gospel of Jesus to be of greater importance. Paul's freedoms and rights came secondary to the goal of proclaiming the good news of Jesus.

In fact, Paul became a servant to all people, living in the manner among the Jews that would most reach the Jews for the gospel and living in the manner among the Gentiles that would most reach the Gentiles for the gospel. He "Became all things to all people, that by all means I might save some. I do it all for the sake of the gospel." Paul returns to this, all too often, overlooked point at the end of chapter ten, but I'll show you that tomorrow.

When it comes to Paul's freedom and rights, he would rather discipline his body and make it serve the gospel than to be drug around by his whims and desires. We would do well to remember that our "rights" while perfectly fine must always be cast aside if the gospel message of Jesus is at stake.

ADDITIONAL READING: Romans 14:23; Romans 14:14; Romans 15:1; 1 Corinthians 10:31